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Published on

DATE:
August 29th, 2024

TO:
All Administrators

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
McKinley Withers, Health and Wellness Consultant

SUBJECT:
PBIS Stipend Clarification

Administrators,

This memo is an update to a previous JAM regarding PBIS and Suicide Prevention Funds. There were no other changes to this information other than the stipend amount received, stipends have been amended to account for the benefits cost on our grant. The original Positive Behaviors Plan 2024-2025 form stated a $3000 stipend is available to pay up to three licensed individuals. $3000 is the amount before benefits are deducted. 

 Individuals will receive the following amounts:
You may select one person to receive-$2250.00
You may select two people to receive- $1125.00 each
You may select three people to receive-$750.00 each

The stipends will be paid out in November or March. Please submit the form to Janie Hyde by October 2, 2024, to have the stipends paid on the November paycheck, or please submit it by February 4, 2025, to have the stipends paid on the March paycheck.

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Published on

DATE:
August 29, 2024

TO:
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
Health, CTE, and Psychology Teachers

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Bollinger, Associate Administrator, Teaching & Learning

SUBJECT:
Required Law and Policy Training for Teaching Sex Ed Topics

Law and policy training is mandatory for all new or newly assigned educators of sex education topics and must be renewed every three years. All health and certain CTE, science, and psychology educators must complete this training. CTE, science, and psychology teachers should complete this training if they teach eligible courses like Child Development, Health Science, Medical Anatomy, Human Development, Genetics, or any course with instruction on sex education as defined in Utah Code 53G-10-403. The USBE offers a free online training which can be found on the health education webpage.

A list of courses the USBE staff believe require law and policy training can be found below. Principals, please direct the teachers who teach these courses to do the training.

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Published on

DATE:
August 29, 2024

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
School Safety Specialists

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Matt Alvernaz, School Safety Coordinator

SUBJECT:
Monthly Drill Preparation (SECURE)

Our monthly drill preparation will be held on September 4th at 3:00 PM with a second session at 3:30 PM. This month we will be covering SECURE.  Each School Safety Specialist is expected to attend along with administrators assigned to oversee school safety.  All other administrators are welcomed to attend as well. The meeting is also opened to any staff who may be interested.

After each monthly training all school staff should be trained by the administrator over school safety and the School Safety Specialist. After being trained each month, teachers should educate their students on each safety drill. Additionally, schools should communicate with their patrons regarding Standard Response Protocol(s) (SRP) and the drill being conducted each month. Videos, handouts, and other resources can be found at the link(s) below.

Information regarding the SECURE response protocol can be found in the Jordan School District Safety Manual on pages 8-11.  We will discuss how to implement and execute the drill.  This will be an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas amongst the schools.

We will be holding this meeting over ZOOM so please join using this link.

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Published on

TO:
Directors
Administrators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
June LeMaster, Administrator of Human Resources
Rebecca Lee, Administrator/Evaluations

Please take a look at the September Evaluations newsletter below.

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Published on

DATE:
August 29, 2024

TO:
Building Principals
Assistant Principals
Elementary Administrative Assistants
Secondary Registrars
Secondary Attendance Secretaries.

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Caleb Olson, Enrollment Consultant, Planning & Enrollment

SUBJECT:
Enrollment of Returning Charter School Students

In the February 2022 Principal Meeting, school principals were directed to consult with and receive permission from their AOS before denying enrollment to a student who lives in the school's boundary and wishes to return at any point in the school year from a charter school. This guidance remains in effect for principals and assistant principals at all levels.

This information should be communicated to individuals who have responsibility for enrolling students at each school location.

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Published on

DATE:
August 29, 2024

TO:
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Michelle Reyes, Attendance/Prevention Specialist

SUBJECT:
Attendance Resources for Labor Day

Thank you for your tremendous efforts to warmly welcome our students and families back into our buildings and back to school. Attendance Works notes that these warm, welcoming environments make a big difference with attendance:

“Research and experience shows that attendance improves when a school community offers a warm and welcoming environment that engages students and families and provides enriching learning opportunities. Students are more likely to come to school when they feel safe, know that someone at the school cares about them, and when there are exciting and relevant lessons. Families are more likely to make sure their children are in class every day when they know school staff are looking out for their children’s best interest and when they understand the potentially adverse impact of absences, even just two days a month, on academic success.”

Help families plan ahead and make sure their child is back in school directly following a school holiday by posting alerts using Parent Square, school websites, and social media. Ready-made resources are available in English and Spanish here. If you would like to customize the announcement with your school logo or have any questions, please contact Michelle Reyes at michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org or (801)567-8205.

We still have FREE banners and stickers available in case you missed it in the last JAM.

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Published on

DATE:
August 27, 2024

TO:
All Jordan School District Principals (with bus route students)

FROM:
Scott Thomas, Administrator of Auxiliary Services
Paul Bergera, Director of Transportation
Kathy Jones, Transportation Trainer/Risk Coordinator

SUBJECT:
State Required Bus Evacuations and School Bus Safety 2024-2025

State-required semi-annual school bus evacuations have been scheduled for this September. This applies to those students who ride the bus daily to and from school.

The evacuations will be conducted during the week of:
Monday, September 9 through Friday, September 13, 2024

Your school’s regular bus drivers will perform this evacuation as they drop your students off in the morning, one day during that week. This procedure will take place at your school and within the student’s regular bus drop off/pick up zone. All professional school bus drivers who transport students are required to perform evacuation procedures in case of an emergency. Bus evacuation will be through the rear door, side door, front door, or any combination of the three. Students will then, under the direction and supervision of the bus driver, evacuate and meet in a safe place approximately 100 feet away from the bus.

Your assistance is welcome but not mandatory to complete this required evacuation drill quickly, safely, and effectively.

We appreciate all you do to help us safely transport your students.

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Published on

DATE:
August 30, 2024

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator, Teaching and Learning
Norman Emerson, Instructional Support Services/Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT:
JSD-Arts Representatives for 2024-25

This year we will continue to invite two District Arts Representatives (DARTS) to represent your school throughout the 2024-25 school year. We are pleased to be able to continue this program which received the Sorenson Legacy Exemplary Program Award in 2023. We have appreciated the work of past DARTS representatives and how they have helped strengthen arts instruction in your schools. Meaningful progress toward a greater level of arts integration has been made, and we wish this to continue.

DARTS meetings will be held on the following dates: September 11, November 13, January 22, March 26, and April 30. The meetings will be held at the Auxiliary Services Building Auditorium from 4:30-6:00 p.m. (the last meeting on April 30th will be a shorter meeting and will be from 4:30-5:30 p.m.). 

Please assign two classroom teachers to serve as your school’s DARTS representatives. The DARTS representatives will meet five times throughout the year to learn and collaborate. Teachers will be paid at the inservice rate and will earn relicensure points (Note: In addition to the two regular classroom teachers, your school's BTS arts educator will also be attending the DARTS sessions). 

Please email the names of your choices for the JSD DARTS Team for the 2024-25 school year to jana.shumway@jordandistrict.org or jacquelin.webster@jordandistrict.org by Monday, September 9, 2024 if possible.

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Published on

DATE:
August 29, 2024

TO:
Principals and Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services
Michelle Reyes, Prevention Specialist, Student Services

SUBJECT:
Attendance Awareness Month Materials 2024 & The Importance of September Attendance

We would like to invite your school to participate with us as we celebrate Attendance Awareness Month to shine attention on the importance of attending school every day. We have chosen Be Present, Be Powerful as our campaign slogan. You can find ready-made resources to help you plan and celebrate here. Teachers can access a teaching attendance toolkit from Attendance Works. Take advantage of Parent Square to send out information. Also included in the resources are attendance motivations and “Did you know?” facts you can share with your school community.

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Published on

DATE:
August 16, 2024

TO:
All Principals

FROM:
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools
Kim Lloyd, Director of Special Education
Brian King, Ph.D., Assistant Director of Special Education
Mike Trimmell, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator

SUBJECT:
Professional Development Opportunities for September and October

Below is a listing of all the professional development opportunities for Special Education Licensed Staff for September and October. A link to sign up for each training will be sent to all Special Education Licensed Staff Members.

 

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Published on

DATE:
August 26, 2024

TO:
Elementary Principals

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Teaching and Learning Administrator
Norman R. Emerson, Fine Arts Consultant

SUBJECT:
Assemblies by Artistic Resources for Teachers and Students, Inc. (ARTS, Inc.)

ARTS, Inc., now in its sixty-fifth year of operation, was founded in 1959. It has provided performances in all forty-one school districts in Utah, reaching more than 250 schools yearly with professional arts and education programming. We welcome their artists to our schools again for the 2024-25  school year. 

Click this link to find:

  • The assembly schedule with the date and time the artists will be at your school.
  • The contact information for the performing group coming to your school.

The artists have been instructed to contact you at least two weeks before their assembly to verify starting times and specific needs for their performance. If the date selected for the performing group at your school does not work with your schedule, please contact them as soon as possible to reschedule. The name and phone number of the contact person for each group have been provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Norman Emerson at 801-567-8364.

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Published on

DATE:
Thursday, August 29, 2024

TO:
All School Administrators

FROM:
Carolyn Gough, Administrator of Teaching and Learning
Ben Jameson, Director of Evaluation, Research and Accountability

SUBJECT:
Data Gateway Updates and School Report Card Project Release Dates

Data Gateway Updates

The state’s Data Gateway has been updated with 2023-24 RISE, Utah Aspire Plus, DLM, and ACT proficiency results. In addition, student growth (SGPs/MGPs) have also been updated for the 2023-24 school year. Here are some helpful pages on the state’s Data Gateway:

  • Data Gateway Login Page – If administrators don’t have an account or their account is locked or deleted, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.
  • Student Proficiency – Administrators can see proficiency by test type (RISE, Utah Aspire Plus, or DLM), grade level, district, or school.
  • Compare Schools Report – Administrators can compare both proficiency and growth (MGP or median growth percentile) for demographically similar schools.
  • Student Growth – Administrators can compare proficiency and growth on a scatterplot.
  • Test Scores by Teacher – Found under My Tools once administrators have logged into their account, this report allows them to see RISE, Utah Aspire Plus or DLM data for their teachers’ 2023-24 classes as well as current year students.
  • WIDA ACCESS Reports – Found under My Tools once administrators have logged into their account, this feature allows administrators to download the 2024 WIDA score reports for their currently enrolled English learners.

School Accountability Report Card Projected Release Dates

USBE expects to release school accountability report cards to the public on September 24, 2024. A secure release to school district officials and school administrators is expected to begin on September 5th and conclude on September 18th.

Targeted School Improvement (TSI), Additional Targeted School Improvement (ATSI), and Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) designations and exits are expected to be released on September 24th as well. As a reminder, schools designated as TSI are eligible for exit annually. The schools designated as ATSI that are eligible for exit were identified in the fall of 2019 or earlier (cohorts 1 and 2).

For questions about the Data Gateway reports, individual administrator Data Gateway accounts, school accountability report cards, or TSI/ATSI/CSI designations, please contact Ben Jameson in Assessment, Research & Accountability.

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Published on

TO:
All Employees

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll

URS doesn’t discourage members from using third-party advisors. However, be cautious of any non-URS advisor or financial planner who claims to represent URS or have expertise in URS benefits. URS does not contract with or otherwise outsource investment advising to any third-party for any reason.

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Published on

DATE: 
August 29, 2024

TO:
Principals
Assistant Principals
Panorama Survey Coordinators
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Travis Hamblin, Director of Student Services

SUBJECT:
Panorama Student Feedback Survey Opt-In Report

Panorama (Early Warning System) and social-emotional surveys may only be administered to students whose parents have opted-in. Parents are asked to opt-in to the student feedback survey during the registration process. When the online registration process closes on Oct. 1 schools will manually enter the opt-in information into Skyward.

The Survey window is August 30-September 20, 2024. The following information is provided to inform and assist you as you administer student surveys:

  • The list of students who may take the survey (opted-in) will be provided to Panorama prior to the administration of the survey by Student Services. Only opted-in students will be able to log in and take the survey.
  • Schools should print out the list of students who have opted-in and provide teachers with the list of students in their classes that have opted-in. The registration opt-in information can be accessed through Skyward using this data mining report.
  • Using the list provided to them by the main office, teachers will be able to manage the administration of the survey. Using the opt-in list, teachers will be able to identify why students may not be able to log in and take the survey.
  • If there are students wishing to take the survey and they are on the opted-in list, but are having log-in issues – the school survey coordinator should contact Panorama directly for assistance at support+utahjordan@panoramaed.com. Student Services does not have the ability to manage access to surveys.
  • Students may choose to not take the survey even though their parents have opted them into the survey. Student feedback surveys administered through Panorama are never required and are always optional.
  • Parents/Guardians should always be informed/notified regarding the administration of any survey.

Survey coordinators and administrators should view the Administering Panorama Survey presentation for information, instructions, and guidance regarding the student feedback surveys. Other Panorama information may be found on the Student Serves website here.

Should you have any questions please reach out to Travis Hamblin (travis.hamblin@jordandistrict.org) or Michelle Reyes (michelle.reyes@jordandistrict.org).

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Published on

DATE:
August 22, 2024

TO:
All Principals, Jordan School District
Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent
Jordan District Nurses

SUBJECT:  
CPR/First Aid/AED Certification

Jordan School District requires that at least 3 full-time employees in each building be certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED. Most certifications are valid for 2 years. It is also recommended that employees who will have direct responsibility for student health and safety be CPR/First Aid/AED certified. This may include front office staff, playground aides, hall monitors, P.E. teachers, etc. It is also recommended that you keep a list of current CPR/First Aid/AED certified staff members by all main phone lines where calls for emergency help may originate. A template is attached.

CPR, First Aid, and AED training and certification is now available to district employees in an online format through the National Safety Council (NSC). The attached document will outline the steps necessary to complete the online portion of the course. Information can also be accessed by going here: CPR & First Aid. The cost of the course is $29.95 and should be paid by the employee at the time of registration. Schools may provide reimbursement for the course, if funds are available, by following appropriate pre-approval and reimbursement procedures.

Once the online course is completed, employees may sign up to complete their certification by attending a 2 hour skills check session with our district nurses. To sign up for a skill check, you will need to register at Jordan Digital Learning under CPR Alert Course. All skill checks must be completed within 90 days of sign-up for the online course. The dates and times for the skill check sessions are listed on the attached flyer.

Please complete the attached CPR/First Aid/AED certification form and return it to the Nursing Services office (Nadine Page) by November 15, 2024.

 

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Published on

TO:
Middle and High School Administrators

FROM:
Chris Richards Khong, Associate Administrator of Teaching and Learning

As announced to the AP community, the AP Program is accelerating the transition to digital testing to ensure the continued security of AP Exams. All schools must administer these 28 AP Exams digitally. Late-testing exams in these subjects, if offered by the school, are also in digital format.

For the full list of exams going digital, hybrid, and staying paper-pencil, please visit the main announcement page link listed on the resource page attached to this JAM message.

Overview webinars will be held on Thursday, September 12th and Monday, September 15th, 2024. Registration information for webinars is located on the resource page attached to this JAM message.

Action required: Please make certain your AP Coordinator and AP teachers have this exam information and the resources attached to this JAM message.

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Published on

TO:
All Administrators
All Administrative Assistants

FROM:
Sarah Palmer, Director of Payroll

Important: Annual or Personal Leave During the First Five Days of School
All Licensed and ESP Employees

8/21/24-8/27/24    Elementary Schools
8/20/24-8/26/24    Secondary Schools
8/20/24-8/26/24    District Offices & Auxiliary Services

Per District policy, annual or personal leave days may not be used during the first five days of school, unless the leave reason is listed in policy as an exception. If any of the exceptions do apply, you must provide both the leave reason and the policy exception in the time off description. If these exceptions are not applicable, your annual or personal leave day will be changed to a no-pay day as per policy.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

DP335NEG-Annual Leave-Licensed
DP335B-Annual Leave-Education Support Professionals

  1. Annual leave shall not be taken during the first five (5) days that students are in school except under the following conditions: 
  1. To attend the wedding of a near relative including child, father, mother, brother, sister, grandchild, grandparents or same to one’s spouse or any other person who is a member of the same household as the employee.
  2. To attend to personal or business matters which require the employee’s attendance and scheduling is beyond the employee’s control.
  3. First year employees who notify their supervisor in writing that they are ill.
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Published on

TO:
School Administrators

FROM:
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
Cody Curtis, Administrator of Schools
Jill Durrant, Administrator of Schools
April Gaydosh, Administrator of Schools
Becky Gerber, Administrator of Schools
Lisa Robinson, Administrator of Schools

A beverage service will be provided at 7:30 a.m. in the auditorium hallway. Lunch will be provided.

LOCATION - PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL START WITH LEVEL MEETINGS AT 8:00 AM
Elementary - Auditorium
Middle/High/Sped - Presentation Room

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Published on

TO:
Assistant Principals

FROM:
Michael Anderson, Associate Superintendent

The September Assistant Principal meetings will be held on September 17 (8:00-11:00am) and September 19 (8:00-11:00am). All meetings will be held in-person at the JATC-S. All assistant principals and intern assistant principals are invited. A beverage service will be provided, beginning at 7:30 am at each of the meetings. As a reminder you only need to attend one of the sessions offered. Both sessions will provide the same information. Please CLICK HERE and it will take you to the Google Doc to sign up for which day you would like to attend. If you have any questions please call Nadine Page at 801-567-8182 (x88182).

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